when crossng the border today I was informed buy a customs officer that the RIV program would be changing and it would no longer be possible to import new 2008 model year snowmobiles or cars into Canada.

I checked the www.RIV.ca site ...... it mentions nothing about this. He said they got a letter to update them last week and this would be happening ASAP.

Sorry that I don't have specific details.

He said not all models would be on the list, he laughed, said they seemed to be only letting the slow models across.....LOL.

not show how NAFTA works exactly but this seems like its an unlawful act at best.

That doesn't make any sense, nor does it sound legal. The only stuff you CAN'T bring back into Canada from the US are things that are banned on our side (full auto weapons, most concealed weaponry, explosives, etc). Since sleds are not banned (nor cars) and since that trade had been done since the dawn of borders I don't see how now they can just decide to ban it. I'm voting just a panicked rumor at this point, not by you, just by others spreading the word.

There are vehicles on RIV's website that are not allowed to be imported into Canada.

That doesn't make any sense, nor does it sound legal. The only stuff you CAN'T bring back into Canada from the US are things that are banned on our side (full auto weapons, most concealed weaponry, explosives, etc). Since sleds are not banned (nor cars) and since that trade had been done since the dawn of borders I don't see how now they can just decide to ban it. I'm voting just a panicked rumor at this point, not by you, just by others spreading the word.

Yes but those, from what I remember, are vehicles that are either:

1)Passed the date of no return, I can't remember what it is, but something about once a vehicle is over 30yrs or something you cannot import it, I know because a dentist of mine was pissed he couldn't import some old ferrari he found in cali

2)Vehicles that do not meet Canada's safety regs or classify themselves as a vehicle under our laws

No-where on that list did it say you can't buy one just because the dollar is high now, and to me that doesn't sound legal, like we're only allowed to shop in the US when our dollar is crapola. What's the point of having a high dollar if we can't spend it in the US? So far the higher dollar has:

-cost us jobs and industry, not to mention lumber companies closing, in my area alone we've lost 2 gas stations, 2 mechanic shops, threatenings of the mill to close down, and half or more of the cutters not being able to cut in the bush due to mill closings. This is in a town of less than 2000 so that's a big hit.

-and now we can't even shop in another country? I didn't see the US stopping americans from coming up here to shop when our dollar was barely above 50 cents US

It was the customs guy sitting in his phone booth that told me this.........quote....."your lucky you didn't wait to buy your sled" He said they have been told to turn people away....!! who knows, maybe he was cooked on exhaust fumes.

The GM Vehicles that are "banned" are vehicles that do not come with a vehicle immobilizer as part of standard equipment. This was a standard introduced by the Canadian federal governement on all 2008 cars to reduce crashes during chases and thefts of stolen vehicles. It is another example of over legislation by our "great father" the Liberal government. So anyone out there who voted liberal, you can thank them for the state of our import laws.

so, our new sleds have "immobolizer" systems......??

Getting f%*!ed again and again

I am going to write this as if i was importing a 1998 Ducati 916 (because thats the last one i did)
You found your 916, everything sounds great from talking to the seller. before you send a deposit follow this guide

Step One - Verify
Verify Admissibility
verify the 1998 Ducati 916 can be imported by checking with Transport Canada. contrary to popular belief it's not RIV.
See Section 8
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor.....;/list/Menu.htm
As you can see, the 1998 916 is listed under ADMISSIBLE in the Ducati section
Note: If the vehicle is NOT listed, it is considered INADMISSIBLE
Pick another bike because you cannot legally import it into Canada

Verify Compliance
A very very important step is to make sure there is a US compliance label on the motorcycle. The Link has an example picture from my 2002 Monster. the grey line will be your VIN number
http://www.top-speed.ca/users/rob/compliencelabel.jpg
Upon asking our seller, the 916 does NOT have this sticker. Don't panic!
At this point, you will want to obtain the VIN number and skip to Step 3
the recall clearance letter states the same thing as this sticker and will suffice at customs. Print a copy and bring it with you. Do it regardless in case the seller misunderstood what you where looking for!

Verify title
Ask the seller if the title is clean. If it is salvage, or rebuilt. Walk away. you CANNOT register a rebuilt or salvage MOTORCYCLE in Ontario for road use. Cars are fine for now.
Ask the seller if there are any liens. If there are, find another bike. If he says its free and clear in his name Continue on.
Ask for the VIN # since you may also want to run a carfax (www.carfax.com)

Step Two - Obtain a Copy of the Title
You need to obtain a copy of the Title
contact the seller. Ask them to fax YOU a copy of the title. They may want a deposit so they know you are serious. I sent $100 VIA PayPal (www.paypal.com)
Send them a link to www.riv.ca so they know why you need it, if they question you.

Step Three - Recall Clearance Letter
Now that you have the title, you have the VIN number. The VIN number is need to obtain the recall Clearance letter.
http://www.riv.ca/english/html/recall_clearance.html
since we are importing a Ducati, we will Contact Ducati USA.
Note: the recall clearance letter MUST come from a US Authorized dealer, or US head office.
www.ducatiusa.com go to the contact us section, and fill out the forum asking for a recall clearance letter. Include the above link so they know what you want. the link below is an example of what the letter will look like.
http://www.top-speed.ca/users/rob/DUCATI916.pdf

As you can see there is an open recall on our bike.
There is one open recall for this motorcycle.
Recall Name: Ultrasonic Testing of Spindle

if there where no open recalls it would read
There are no open recalls on this motorcycle.

If there are no open recalls, fax the recall clearance letter to RIV
1-888-642-9899

Since there is a recall on our bike, call around to local dealers and make sure you find one that is willing to do the recall. You cannot register a bike until the recall is completed.
We have called GP Bikes, and they are happy to do the recall.

Note: since our 916 does not have the US compliance label on the bike, we will print a copy of the Recall Clearance letter and bring it with us. Do it even if the sticker is there

Step Four- 72 Hours Notice to US Customs
US customs needs 72 hours advance notice of vehicles that are being exported.
A copy of the title (and only the title) you obtained in Step two will need to be faxed to them. They do a title search to check to make sure it's not stolen, there are no liens, ect...

Decide on the port you are going to cross at, for a list see here
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

We are going to cross at the Queenstown/Lewiston bridge. note the hours of operation, or call to find out (the port Huron boarder is 24/7, but most are NOT)
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/c...ts/ny/0901.xml

Call the Personal Importations and Exceptions number - 716-282-1400
press 3 for export office
press 2 for the fax number
716 285 3565
Fax over your title.
Note: If they can't read your VIN number they will put your fax into the trash can. Neatly write the VIN number at the top of the fax in large easy to read letters/numbers, without blocking any part of your title
Note 2: Just incase it's not clear, you need to fax your title to the US boarder you plan on exporting the bike at.

After 24hours, i would call them back and verify that they got your title
716-282-1400
option 3
option 6
Leave a voice mail with your VIN number and call back number. Speak slowly and CLEARLY. they will call back pretty quick. if you don't hear back from them in 4-5hours, call back again.

Step Five - Go get your bike (after 72 hours)
Before you leave, bring the following with you
-A copy of your title that you faxed
-A fax confirmation page showing the date and time you faxed it
-Your recall clearance letter
-Directions and phone numbers of seller
-I also like to bring a Bank receipt as a little extra proof of how much you paid

From the Seller
You need two important documents from the seller when you pick up your bike
-the real title (make sure they sign it)
-A bill of sale stating how much you paid, and the VIN # of the bike. the sellers name, and the buyers name

Step Six - Exporting/Importing your bike
Export from the USA
Once you arrive back at the boarder, you will have to pull over BEFORE crossing into Canada and have the REAL title stamped.
the locations are different at each boarder. Go into the nearest building. The first person you see and ask where to go for vehicle exports.
Bring in with you the real title, a copy of the title, and your fax proof page.
They will check their records and since you did your home work it will be fine. if not you can try showing them your fax proof and see how that goes.
They stamp your title, and will ask for your copy. (if you don't have a copy they will give you the "damn noobie look" and go copy it)


Some times they come out and verify the VIN, sometimes they won't

Import into Canada
Once your title is stamped, cross into Canada
Declare your bike, how much you paid, to the customs official in the booth. they will give you a yellow piece of paper and tell you where to go park.
go inside with
-yellow piece of paper the Officer gave you
-the date your bike was made (month and year, should be stamped on the bike somewhere)
-your stamped title
-bill of sale
-bring a pen
-recall clearance letter (if you bike does not have the compliance label we talked about earlier)
-license
-credit card/cash/debit to pay %6 tax and optional RIV fee (there is no NO duty on motorcycles no mater where they are made). you can pay the RIV fee later ($195 plus tax)

Either they will give you a Vehicle Import Forum - Forum 1 to fill out or they will do it for you. Fill it in, basic info, your name, the VIN, the make model and so on.
there is a spot on there (text box #10) that asks about the compliance label. If it;s on the bike, check that box, if it's not on the bike, give them your letter from Ducati, and check that box

Once that is filled out, give it back along with your bill of sale.
You will then pay your tax and RIV fee (or pay the RIV fee later your choice)
they give you a Casual Goods Accounting Document (blue and white) as a receipt, that shows that you have paid your %6 when you go to the ministry to register your bike.
they will also give you a copy of the Forum 1 as well.

they may come out and inspect your bike, try and hassle you for the price you paid etc.. But they probably won't and your on your merry way.

Step 7 - Register your bike in Ontario
If your bike has no recalls on it, you can register your bike once you get your RIV letter in the mail with the Forum 2 (if you paid your RIV fees at the boarder otherwise call up RIV and pay and wait or go visit them in person).
https://www.livingstonintl.com/rivpa...html/enter.cfm Online payment

Personal visit
REGISTRAR OF IMPORTED VEHICLES
405 THE WEST MALL
TORONTO ON M9C 5K7

It contains a forum that has to be taken to Canadian tire and signed off on once your bike is inspected

Canadian tire Inspection
-letter and Forum 2 from RIV
-Bring your USA title (just in case)
-Bring your forum 1 you got from customs
-recall clearance letter stating there are no recalls
They do a quick inspection on bikes. takes 2 minutes. they verify the vin basically and are happy lol.
they will stamp your Forum1, and fill out the Forum 2

--You can now go get your bike certified--

At the Ministry of Transportation
-bring your USA title
-stamped forum 1
-Forum 2 inspection paper
-certification paper
-bill of sale
-Casual goods Accounting Document
-insurance number (use your cars insurance paper if you want they don't care and can't check)

They will sort through everything, charge you the %7 PST, plate fee, sticker fee, and issue you an Ontario title

You better check the RIV form. Most 2008s are now not admissable to bring in from the States!

I feel dirty for having enjoyed looking at that.

It was the customs guy sitting in his phone booth that told me this.........quote....."your lucky you didn't wait to buy your sled" He said they have been told to turn people away....!! who knows, maybe he was cooked on exhaust fumes.

The GM Vehicles that are "banned" are vehicles that do not come with a vehicle immobilizer as part of standard equipment. This was a standard introduced by the Canadian federal governement on all 2008 cars to reduce crashes during chases and thefts of stolen vehicles. It is another example of over legislation by our "great father" the Liberal government. So anyone out there who voted liberal, you can thank them for the state of our import laws.

9. Every Passenger vehicle, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck and 3 wheeled vehicle manufactured after September 1, 2007 and with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) less than 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs), except an emergency vehicle or a walk-in van, must be equipped with an immobilization system that meets CMVSS 114.
While many vehicles manufactured for the United States market offer the electronic immobilization system as an option, there are some makes and models where this system is not available from the manufacturer. In many cases, an after market system that meets the intent of CMVSS114 can be installed by a third party. However you should check with the manufacturer to see if the installation of such an after market system compromises the vehicle warranty. Importers should check with the manufacturer to determine whether a vehicle is equipped or can be equipped with an electronic immobilization system that meets the intent of CMVSS 114, before purchasing and importing a vehicle.
Electronic immobilizers require a special key or small electronic device to start a vehicle's engine. Usually you attach this to your key ring.
This type of system, when activated, totally immobilizes engine systems in response to any attempt to start the vehicle without using an authorized key, by shutting off one or more parts of the engine's electrical system. This might include the starter, ignition or fuel system.
As part of the RIV inspection, the importer will be required to supply documentation to prove that the vehicle came equipped with a factory installed system that complies with CMVSS 114 or that a recognized aftermarket system that meets the intent of CMVSS 114, has been installed.

9. Every Passenger vehicle, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck and 3 wheeled vehicle manufactured after September 1, 2007 and with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) less than 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs), except an emergency vehicle or a walk-in van, must be equipped with an immobilization system that meets CMVSS 114.
While many vehicles manufactured for the United States market offer the electronic immobilization system as an option, there are some makes and models where this system is not available from the manufacturer. In many cases, an after market system that meets the intent of CMVSS114 can be installed by a third party. However you should check with the manufacturer to see if the installation of such an after market system compromises the vehicle warranty. Importers should check with the manufacturer to determine whether a vehicle is equipped or can be equipped with an electronic immobilization system that meets the intent of CMVSS 114, before purchasing and importing a vehicle.
Electronic immobilizers require a special key or small electronic device to start a vehicle's engine. Usually you attach this to your key ring.
This type of system, when activated, totally immobilizes engine systems in response to any attempt to start the vehicle without using an authorized key, by shutting off one or more parts of the engine's electrical system. This might include the starter, ignition or fuel system.
As part of the RIV inspection, the importer will be required to supply documentation to prove that the vehicle came equipped with a factory installed system that complies with CMVSS 114 or that a recognized aftermarket system that meets the intent of CMVSS 114, has been installed.